Ally Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall, Emilio Estevez

A diverse group of high schoolers forced to spend detention on a Saturday in the library. Forced to make the best of their circumstances, they learn to understand each other and discover that in spi...( read more  read more... )te of their initial differences, they actually share many common feelings and problems.

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90% liked it

325,234 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

42 critics

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: John Hughes

Release Date: May 15, 1985

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DVD Release Date: September 2, 2003

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Stats: 38,061 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (38,061)


  • October 2, 2009
    I can't believe I waited so long to see this movie. This movie would have been so great for me while I was in high school. It would of meant so much more to me...but it still had a big impact on me now.

    I love this movie.
  • August 22, 2009
    Coming off the success of "Sixteen Candles", John Hughes directed one of the quintessential films of the 80's, "The Breakfast Club". The premise is not unfamiliar to any form of literature: a group of strangers are placed in a common setting, and through this intimate exposure th...( read more)ey gain insight about themselves and their acquaintances. By using typical high school archetypes, John Hughes examines the hierarchal structure of high school and the uniform parental angst amongst all teenagers.

    The film centers around five individuals: John Bender (Judd Nelson), the burn-out; Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez), the athlete; Allison Reynolds (Ally Sheedy), the outcast; Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald), the prom queen; and Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall), the geek. Together they must attend an eight hour detention under the supervision of a stubborn teacher (Paul Gleason). Despite the initial assumptions they draw from their classmates' appearances, the five grow close and understand just how much they have in common.

    It's fascinating that a film of this pace has cemented itself as a universal favorite amongst an entire generation. It's not the raunchy sex comedy that "Sixteen Candles" is, nor does it have the memorably quirky episodes of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". Instead, this is a smart, revealing, and completely atypical portrait of high school life.

    The film is not quite a timeless masterpiece for reasons that occur mostly in the third act. There are some completely inauthentic gimmicks, such as a dance sequence and unlikely romances, that undermine everything Hughes is trying to shed light on. And, although the film is smart about methodically revealing the shared inner turmoil of the five students, it's a bit too easy to label these kids as products of abusive, neglecting, or perfectionist parents. Surely a teenager in the exclusive system that high school is could have issues not relating to poor parenting.

    I wonder what a modern day Breakfast Club would look like. Although dealing with the most common archetypes, Hughes' film suffers from not exploring more - the uniformly caucasian cast doesn't shed light on the struggles of any minority students, not one of the students is gay, not one of the students is fat, etc. Although remembered fondly as a revealing portrait of high school life, we must distinguish that this is, in fact, a high school of attractive and privileged white kids. Nevertheless, "The Breakfast Club" remains an enormously enjoyable picture almost 25 years after it's release.
  • August 8, 2009
    This film is one of the most influential films I have ever watched. It reaches out to you - and your touched by it. No matter what little sub-culture you were shifted into whilst going through the trials and tribulations of Secondary school you could relate to it.

    It may have be...( read more)en clichéd but what film isn't, we like certain elements we can relate to otherwise what would we take from films.

    Judd Nelson gives a convincing performance of 'Bender' the criminal. He managed to sway from angry to emotional - making you feel for him when he is describing what things are like at 'his house'. He seemed to have a lot of great lines including the Manilow comment! The emotion in this film is immense considering it is a teenage film - and touches on 5 lost characters who seem to be searching for some type of approval or acceptance. (Just like our-selves) Ringwald shows just how versatile she is, and very different from Pretty in Pink. I heard that Ally Sheedy originally went for Ringwalds part and they swapped?

    Emilio Estevez carrys his role off very well as a Jock - it gets a little cringe worthy when hes high at the end - and rushing around like a loony. But the end with Ally Sheedy certainly makes up for it.

    The ending is good, however even ten years later after I first saw this film I always wanted to know what they did the next day!

    This is such a great film, I can relate to it so much! I love it is truly the best, you can watch over and over and never get tired of it.
  • February 16, 2009
    The pinnacle of the 80's pop movie genre...made exactly halfway through the decade, and featuring a pair of the most famous stars...this is pretty much the meat and tators of the 80s.
  • January 28, 2009
    WOW....retro flashback in motion haha I loved this film when I was a teen and I still do now I think about it. Great cast of youngsters who became the backbone of many other teen flicks...many of which also made by Hughes.
    Its not exactly funny but just engaging in the way the di...( read more)fferent teens act and go about their quirky ways whilst all in detention together. The best for me being Nelson as a mouthy, cocky punk and Estevez as the sports jock :)
    The music set pieces and little compilations are really great and add such a spice to the film that without would leave it numb and cold. The fights between Nelson and Gleason are great and the arguments about nonsense are simple yet genius, anyone can relate.

    You think its a throw away film but it all ends on quite a nice high with a point to make, which in turn makes you think back to yr own school days, if only I had been more like them at that age.
  • November 7, 2009
    I always thought I didn't really like the 80s but... this is one of my favorite movies ever.
  • November 6, 2009
    didnt think id like this but it turned out to be amazing
  • November 4, 2009
    Un classique du cinema pour ado!!
  • November 1, 2009
    OLD SCHOOL!!! But good times!!!
  • October 31, 2009
    Another classic...got to love them.

Critic Reviews


October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Breakfast Club doesn't need earthshaking revelations; it's about kids who grow willing to talk to one another, and it has a surprisingly good ear for the way they speak. full review

View more The Breakfast Club reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • Doodie58
    August 31, 2009
    I watched it in my house and I thought it was amazing, I was laughing soooo much, I gotta say I think it might be one of the best movies made. Even though I dont really like Molly Ringwald that much I thought she played the part very well. My fave character is the girl with the black hair tho tbh (I havent seen it in a while so I have forgotten her name). I think it's a very good and funny film (:
  • BenDaImmortal
    March 29, 2009
    Wonderful idea, setting and the personas of these teenagers were amazingly put together and their family backgrounds so realistic and I think every parent in this world should watch this movie BEFORE it may be a little too late. This nmovie is very, very educating in the entertaining, hilarious and touching way with realistic emotions and awesome actors. Now that didn't do justice to what this really is. I can't explain, I just... This movie includes something to learn and enjoy for everyone - not only for parents. Watch this movie. You won't regret. I swear.
  • mrbicklethepickle
    July 23, 2008
    Try my Poll

    http://www.flixster.com/poll/who-is-your-favourite-character-from-the-breakfast-club
  • RachandFrank4ever
    April 7, 2008
    Wonderful...........The Breakfast Club is the greatest absoulute best movie in the universe,nothing can top this movie. John Hughes makes the best movies(The Breakfast Club,Weird Science,Sixteen Candles,and Ferris Bueller's Day Off) When my mom first showed this movie I was hooked on the 80s. I have a collection of 13 80s flicks and I keep them seperated from my other movies. I even love the music and the lingo. If anyone wants to get interested into the 80s this is the perfect movie to watch!!!!!!!!
  • ksbl
    March 27, 2008
    What's your favourite John Hughes flick?
    Take the poll:
    www.flixster.com/poll/which-john-hughes-film-is-the-greatest
  • bluejays86rock
    February 28, 2008
    once again, THE BREAKFAST CLUB totally rocks and it is the best movie ever. It was on tv last night and everytime I watch the movie, I feel like I am a teenager again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! John Hughes, you are the best, I love ALL of your movies from the best era ever, THE 80's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS ALL OF THE BREAKFAST CLUB FANS!!!!!!!!!! WE ROCK AND WE ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!! From a 40 year old guy who feels like he is a teenager every time I watch the greatest 80's movie ever, THE BREAKFAST CLUB , party hearty dudes and dudettes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • bluejays86rock
    February 28, 2008
    Hi, it's me here again, I just wanted to say again that I love THE BREAKFAST CLUB and I always will!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is my fav movie ever of all time!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw it when it 1st came out in the movies when I was a teenager and I watch it every single time it's on tv now plus I have 4 copies of the movie so I can watch it anytime I want!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE BREAKFAST CLUB was, is and always will be my fav movie of all time!!!!!!!!!! They don't make movies as great as this was, is and always will be anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!! The 80's totally rock and I miss them years alot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • bluejays86rock
    February 28, 2008
    Shermer High School sure gets alot of action lol, it is used in 3 great 80's movies!!!!!!!!
  • bluejays86rock
    February 28, 2008
    Hey THE BREAKFAST CLUB totally rocks!!!!!!!!!!!! It is the best movie ever made!!! It is a classic 80's movie and I LOVED AND STILL LOVE IT ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was on TVLAND last night on tv and I def watched it!!!!!!!
  • butterflykisses0511
    January 30, 2008
    One of the best movies of all time. There wasn't much of a plot but the meaning of it was very deep.

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The Breakfast Club Trivia


  • Lines like "Does Barry Manilow know you raid his wardrobe?" and "Could you describe the ruckus?" were in which 1980s high school movie?  Answer »
  • "Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?" Name the movie this quote is taken from.  Answer »
  • In which film did the brat pack spend their saturday in detention?  Answer »
  • In what movie does someone say, "Don't mess with the bull young man, you'll get the horns."  Answer »

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